Compensation For Working Out Of Town

Toothpick

Have a question about what is fair or typical to charge for working out of town. We picked up a large cabinet install / custom trim project from a referal from our custom cabinet maker about 4 hrs away. After my partner negotiated with the builder on this project they met about half way, our labor price is about 15% more than typical, builder puts us up in a hotel/motel for our stay, $25 per man for food per day, paid fuel, $150 per man for ride time round trip (aprox 8hrs.)

This is about a 4 week project going up there about every other week due to the fact that we will be supplying our cabinet guy some needed info and then waiting our week off for him to do his thing. The plan is to work 12-14 hr days Monday thru Thursday getting an actual 40 plus hrs work time. I personally would like a little better deal than this to make it worth the while being away from the family, but this does help fill in our scheadule also being that things are a little slow these days.

I can't say I have ever worked out of town before and really don't know what fair compensation is. What would you guys ask for?

thom

Many years ago we did remodels on Denny's throughout the state. I just figured the additional costs into my bid. We worked long days, I covered hotel, food, transportation for my guys. Subs covered their own and included it in their bids.

I hated working out of town. My guys actually liked it. They took home a lot of OT money and were quite happy with it. I made enough profit on the job that I was satisfied with the work. Kept doing it for awhile until they asked me to bid work in an adjacent state.

Never discussed the price for working out of town with the restaurant's supervisor. The only issue was total $ for the job.

RobertCDF

I would kind of like to work out of town... Think about how much better that makes you look to future clients: "Wow even people from other towns/states hire them... They must be awesome. They must be the cream of the crop we will hire them no matter the cost."

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks

ruskent

I might have some out of town work coming up. I think most employees would like it. Gets them away from their wives for awhile. I never met a guy in construction who didn't complain about his old lady.

Teetorbilt

The over-ride sounds cheap to me. $25 doesn't buy a lot of food on the road. Would your guys make $150 a day if they were home? Much depends on the quarters, decent or fleabag? 2 weeks away from home means a lot to some guys especially if they have small kids. Trust me, I screwed up here BIGtime!

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ruskent

When i work out of town we are going to get our 40 hours in as fast as possible. Drive down sunday night. Work 13.5 hour days mon-wed. Drive back home and have a long weekend.